Today is a national federal holiday, Columbus Day. It was established in Colorado in 1906 as a day to commemorate the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. October 12th, the traditional date for Columbus Day, was made a federal holiday in 1934 and moved to a Monday holiday in 1971, 39 years ago.
All city, county, and federal offices are closed today. The post office is closed with no mail delivery. The motor vehicle office is closed. There is no school. However, the stock market will be operating as normal and ARC will be collecting refuse in the city on their regular Monday schedule.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino was in Brooklyn yesterday speaking to Jewish leaders. He made some comments on his opponent Andrew Cuomo’s participation in a gay rights parade. Paladino says children would be better off and much more successful if they get married and have a family. He says he doesn’t want them to be brain washed into thinking homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option.
Representatives for Andrew Cuomo responded by saying Mr. Paladino’s statement displays stunning homophobia and glaring disregard for basic equality.

40-year-old Roland Reed Junior of Exchange Street in Attica has been charged with Felony DWI and Aggravated DWI with a child in the vehicle, a Leandra’s Law violation. Reed was stopped by Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies on East Main Street in Batavia last night for operating his vehicle in a reckless manner. He was found to be intoxicated, and with a 2-year-old child and an 8-month-old child in the car. He was also found to be in possession of marijuana. He also did not possess a valid driver’s license due to two prior DWI convictions. The children’s mother was in the car. Reed is in jail with bail set at $25,000.

Batavia Police arrested 25-year-old Gregory Seppe, who has no permanent address, on a charge of Criminal Trespass. He allegedly entered a home on Columbia Avenue and remained there without permission. He has an address now, the Genesee County Jail. Bail is set at $1,000.

38-year-old Jodi Reed of South Pearl Street Road in Oakfield has been arrested on a warrant charging her with Possession of a Forged Instrument. Reed is accused of trying to cash a forged check at a local bank last August.

A one-car accident on the Saltvale Road in the Town of Warsaw has resulted in DWI charges to the driver of the car, 22-year-old Shawn Ferris of Buffalo Street in Castile. His car went out of control, stuck two culverts and wound up in the ditch. Ferris was treated for minor injuries at the Wyoming County Community Hospital and released.

Three men believed to be in the United States illegally have been turned over to immigration and customs officials. An alleged hit and run accident at the Wilson Farms store in Oakfield led to their arrest. The car the three were in was pulled over a short time after the accident and one of the passengers fled on foot. He was caught after a lengthy foot chase. The 3 men are identified as 21-year-old Arturo Ocana-Martinez, 19-year-old Exar Morales-Perez, and 18-year-old Efarin Diaz-Guttierez.

Batavia police have arrested an Alexander man on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. 23-year-old Nicholas Antonucci of Broadway Road in Alexander was arrested in a public parking lot on East Main Street after allegedly repeatedly shouting obscenities. He was also found to have marijuana on his possession.